Savannah[9], the historic riverside birthplace of Georgia, was settled in 1733 by British colonists led by General James Oglethorpe and Colonel William Bull. In 1864 when General William Tecumseh Sherman [10] marched in, the mayor of Savannah gave Sherman's men run of the city in exchange for leaving it untorched. As a result, Savannah is one of the few major cities in the South with antebellum charm and architecture remaining intact. Savannah has one of the largest historic districts in the country.

Southerners joke that in Atlanta, the first thing locals ask you is your business; in Charleston, they ask your mother's maiden name; and in Savannah, they ask what you want to drink. It's partly that ethos that keeps the city tourism industry flourishing, along with a little help from what locals call "The Book:" Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (also a feature film [11]). The local art school, Savannah College of Art and Design [12], also keeps the city peopled with liberals and awash in accessible, affordable art.

Get in

By car

I-95 and I-16 are both readily accessible to the city.

The major east-west street through the Historic District is Bay Street, and the major north-south street is Abercorn, which begins at Bay Street and extends south through the city. Parking in the Historic District is a problem. If you find a good parking space, it might be more convenient to leave the car there and walk the Historic District or take a bus (see below).

By plane

Savannah/Hilton Head Island International Airport (IATA: SAV) [13] has a delightful glass-covered square with benches and shops in the center of the terminal, echoing the public squares in Savannah's Historic District. Rental car, Grayline shuttles, taxis, and other ground transportation are on the lower level to take you to Savannah.

By train

Amtrak operates a passenger terminal at Savannah for the Palmetto and Silver Service trains running between New York City and Miami, Florida with three southbound and three northbound trains stopping at the station daily.

By bus

Greyhound [14] - the station is located on Oglethorpe Ave. about a half mile from River St.

Get around

By public transit

Chatham Area Transit [15](CAT) has bus services fanning out from a common downtown loop. It also operates a free CAT Shuttle (Route #1) that winds its way around the Historic District and a free Savannah Belles Ferry that runs across the Savannah River between the Historic District and Hutchinson Island, where the Convention Center is.

River Street Streetcar - A W5 class Melbourne streetcar (Austrialian made), with bio-diesel electric hybrid onboard generator car, running on 1 mile of railroad tracks from a former branch line of the Norfolk Southern Railroad, in the Downtown Historic District. The first bio-diesel hybrid onboard generator vintage streetcar line in North America. Restored original Birney Safety single truck streetcar. For tourists, locals and train fans alike.

Also 2 Single Truck Streetcars with towing generator Cars that will be more than likely than
having overheaad wire system.

That will be using Generator Streetcars that will be using Bio Diesel Electric hybrids.

By foot

Savannah's Historic District is a good area to see in the daytime by walking. The Historic District is roughly one mile by one mile, bounded in the north by the Savannah River, the south by Forsyth Park, the east by East Broad St., and the west by the Visitor Center and MLK Jr. Blvd. The downtown public squares (see below) provide more than a day's worth of strolling.

Be CAREFUL walking around downtown, the city is currently cracking down on jay walkers and the ticket is $210.

By private bus tours

There are several private bus tours that winds through the Historic District with running commentaries. They can be found at the Visitors Center and numerous places throughout the Historic District.

See

City Market[17]. City Market is a mixed use project in the northwest corner of the Historic District. The rehabilitation of the four block area began in 1985. The result is a physical facility that economically could not be replicated today. City Market has established itself as a destination for entertainment, dining, and retailing in downtown Savannah. To create an anchor attraction that would attract both tourists and Savannah residents, the developer emulated its successful Torpedo Factory project in Alexandria, Virginia and established the Art Center at City Market. This group of working studios for artists occupies approximately 19,000 square feet of space and has created an opportunity for other tenants of City Market to establish and operate viable food, entertainment, and retail businesses. In addition, City Market has three apartments and approximately 11,000 square feet of office space.

River Street[18], a popular cobblestone street (one way east) along the south bank of the Savannah River, is lined with numerous tourist-targeted shops and restaurants. The sculpture of the Waving Girl is towards the east end of River Street. The rest of the Historic District is on a bluff above the riverfront and is connected with River Street via stairs or ramps.

Forsyth Park, the large public park marking the southern edge of the Historic District, is ringed with Bed and Breakfasts and crowned with a beautiful fountain. They filmed "The Movie" here, an adaptation of "The Book"; so stay in the park, admire the Spanish moss, and imagine yourself next to John Cusack under the dripping Spanish moss.

Bonaventure Cemetery. Fans of "The Book" will find Johnny Mercer's grave here, along with Conrad Aiken's and other Southern notables. The view of the river is wonderful, and the Spanish moss creates a delightfully spooky atmosphere.

Grayson Stadium Home of the Savannah Sand Gnats (minor league baseball) [19]

Arts

Savannah College of Art & Design, [20]. SCAD was founded in 1978 by Paula S. Wallace, Richard Rowan, May Poetter and Paul Poetter — is an independent, accredited and nonprofit school dedicated to the visual and performing arts, design, the building arts and the history of art and architecture. SCAD enrolls close to 7,000 students from all 50 states and nearly 80 countries.

Lucas Theatre, [21]. SCAD uses it for a number of events including the Savannah Film Festival. The college’s support also allows for a wide range of community uses: the Lucas has presented top-line entertainment including opera from London and Italy, European orchestras, country stars, traveling repertory companies and film series. These events bring in an average of more than 1,000 people per week.

Telfair Museum, [22]. The Telfair Museum of Art traces its history from 1886 when the Telfair family home opened to the public as an art museum and school. Now comprised of three buildings: the original Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences building, a National Historic Landmark; the Owens-Thomas House, also a National Historic Landmark; and the recently completed Jepson Center for the Arts.

Over the years the Telfair has become an invaluable confluence of arts, culture and history that reaches out to its audience through a diverse schedule of exhibitions and programs. Currently among the city's most-visited attractions, the museum is even more popular with the 2006 opening of its third venue, the Jepson Center for the Arts.

Events

Savannah Film Festival, [23]. Held in late October/early November. The festival features more than 50 films, selected from more than 600 entries in the categories of feature, short, animation, documentary and student competition, which are submitted from all over the world. The featured screenings represent a variety of independent filmmakers, while a cross section of workshops, lectures, receptions and special events gives the festival participants an opportunity to meet colleagues active in all areas of film production.

Savannah Music Festival, [24]. "Southern, Soulful and Sophisticated." The Festival's distinctive line-up showcases indigenous music from the Deep South, originally conceived chamber music, and a wealth of internationally renowned musicians representing an abundance of musical styles and genres.

Sidewalk Arts Festival, [26]. Held in the Spring. The sidewalks of Savannah's charming Forsyth Park come to life with remarkable original artwork and live music. This event is free and open to the public. The Sidewalk Arts Festival draws thousands of visitors to view temporary chalk masterpieces created on the sidewalks of the historic park.

St. Patrick's Day, [27]. Held on March 17th, this is considered by many to be the second largest party in the country!

Historic public squares

Gen. Oglethorpe and Col. Bull laid out their new settlement in 1733 in a series of wards, in which commercial and residential buildings surround a public square. The original four public squares were Johnson, Ellis, Telfair, and Wright. By the mid 19th century, there were 24 public squares in Savannah. Two squares, Elbert and Liberty, both along Montomery St., have been lost to modern construction, and a third one, Ellis, once lost, is being restored.

Calhoun Square, Calhoun Square was laid out in 1851, one of the last squares. It is on Abercorn Street with the cross streets being Taylor and Gordon. It was named for John C. Calhoun a well known South Carolina politician. Massie School and Wesley Monumental Methodist Church are on this square.

Chatham Square, Chatham Square was laid out in 1847, one of the last squares. It is on Barnard Street with the cross streets being Taylor and Gordon. It was named for William Pitt, the Earl of Chatham. On the Southeast corner of the square is Gordon Row, fifteen four story townhouses built as rental housing. The Barnard Street School, now one of the buildings of the Savannah College of Art and Design is on the Northwest corner of the square.

Chippewa Square, This square was laid out in 1815 and named for a battle in the War of 1812. In 1820, this square was a center of nighlife as the William Jay designed theater (still there although greatly altered) was on this square. The classical First Baptist Church and the Charles Cluskey designed Moses Eastman House at 17 W. McDonough are also on Chippewa. North of the square is Independent Presbyterian Church on Bull St. at Oglethorpe. The center of this square is James Edward Oglethorpe's monument. The square is also notable for being the square with the bus stop in the movie Forrest Gump. (The bus stop bench doesn't actually exist, it was a movie prop.)

Columbia Square, In the center of this square is the Wormsloe Fountain, placed there in 1970 as a memorial to Augusta and Wymberly DeRenne, descendants of Noble Jones. Davenport House, the house saved in 1955 by seven women who went on to found Historic Savannah Foundation, is located on the North side of this square. It is also the site of current preservation activities. The Frederic Ball House and the former law offices on the Western side of the square next to the Kehoe House. The Stone House, dating from the 1820s has been restored. The Universalist Church, on the Southwest corner of the square, is the former Sheftall House.

Crawford Square, This square was laid out in the 1840s and named to honor William Harris Crawford who was Secretary of the Treasury under President Madison and once thought to be a prime contender for President of the United States. It is the only square that is still fenced as all the squares were at one time. Crawford Square is on Houston Street between Perry and Hull Streets.

Elbert Square, This square is one of two lost squares. It was located on Montgomery St. directly across from the westside entrance to the Civic Center and is represented by a small grassy area today. The square was laid out in 1801 and named for Samuel Elbert, planter and Revolutionary soldier. In 1969 the "Flame of Freedom" was placed here, but subsequently it was moved to Liberty Square in front of the Courthouse.

Ellis Square, This square is one of the original four squares, laid out in 1733. It was also referred to as Marketplace Square because that was its use. The square was named for Henry Ellis, second Royal Governor. Unfortunately, in 1954, this entire square, on Barnard Street between W. Bryan and W. Congress Streets, was covered by a city parking garage. This parking garage was torn down in 2007 and is being replaced by an underground parking structure, Savannah's first, with Ellis Square restored on top.

On the west side of Ellis Square, the City Market complex extends for two blocks over to Franklin Square. Ellis was the site of the Old City Market, which was demolished in the early 1950s to make way for the infamous parking garage. The loss of the Old City Market upset residents to the extent that efforts began to prevent further losses of irreplaceable building s

Franklin Square, This square is located on Montgomery Street between Congress and Bryan Streets. It was named for Benjamin Franklin who had been the Georgia Colony's agent in London. It was laid out in 1791 and for many years the City's water tower was here so it was referred to as Water Tower or Reservoir Square. The First African Baptist Church is located on the West side of the square and the end of the City Market complex is on the East side. Franklin Square was restored in the 1980s, the same time period when the City Market complex was built.

Greene Square, This square was named to honor Gen. Nathanial Greene, second in command to George Washington in the American Revolution. On the Southwest corner, the Meyerhoff house is built of Savannah Gray Brick and a sign on the house notes that these bricks were made at the Hermitage Plantation.

The Second African Baptist Church, dating to 1802 is on the West side of the square. At this church, Sherman made his famous "Forty Acres and a Mule" promise to the newly freed slaves. Also on this square is the 1801 wooden building that was the Savannah Female Orphan Asylum

Johnson Square, This is the City's first square, laid out in 1733. It was named for Robert Johnson, Governor of South Carolina when the Georgia colony was founded. The public mill and oven were located on this square and it was the site of the earliest church, Christ Church, which is still there; but not in the original building. The Savannah Bank Building, now First Union, was the City's first "skyscraper." It was built in 1911 on the Northeast corner of Bull Street and Bryan. This is the banking square and many of the City's banks are located here. In the center of the square is the Nathanial Greene Monument.

LaFayette Square, This square, located on Abercorn Street between Charlton and Harris Streets was laid out in 1837. Until 1846, the City jail was located here; but when it was moved, Andrew Low purchased some of the land and built in 1849 what we now refer to as the Andrew Low House. This house, on the West side of the square, is next to the Battersby-Hartridge House, the only Charleston style house in the City.

The Hamilton Turner House is also on this square as is the Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home. This home, now operated as a public museum, is where the renowned Georgia author lived as a child.

On the North side of the square is the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and its school buildings.

Liberty Square, This is one of two lost squares. It was located on Montgomery Street in front of the present County Courthouse. It was laid out in 1799 and named to celebrate the freedom and independence gained through the Revolution and to honor the "Sons of Liberty" who had fought for independence. The "Flame of Freedom" is now on this site.

Madison Square, This square was named to honor President James Madison and laid out in 1837. It is on Bull Street with Harris and Charlton providing boundaries. On the West side of the square there is St. John's Episcopal Church and its parish house, the Green-Meldrim House which is open to the public. On the corner of Charlton and Bull, there is the Scottish Rite Temple designed by Hyman Witcover who was also the architect for the present Savannah City Hall. Across from that is the Savannah Volunteer Guards Armory, now one of the Savannah College of Art and Design's buildings. The DeSoto Hilton Hotel, on the Northeast corner, was built in the 1960s after the original DeSoto was torn down.

The site was originally the Oglethorpe Barracks, c. 1834, the site of early military parades.

The center of Madison Square is the Sgt. Jasper Monument.

Monterey Square, In 1847, the Irish Jasper Greens, a Savannah military group, returned from the Mexican war and this name (Monterey) was given to honor one of the battles in that war. All of the buildings on this square except one (the United Way building) are original to the square.

Temple Mickve Israel is here with its museum which is open to the public.

On the Southwest corner, at 3 W. Gordon, is the Noble Hardee House, completed in 1869 as a double house but later converted into a single dwelling. Also on this square is the Mercer-Williams House and the 1857 built Oglethorpe Club building.

The Pulaski Monument is in the center of Monterey Square.

Oglethorpe Square, This square is on Abercorn Street between State and York Streets. It was laid out in 1742 and named for the founder of Georgia, James Edward Oglethorpe. In its earliest days it was referred to as "Upper New Square."

On the East side of this square there is the Owens-Thomas House, which many feel is the finest example of Regency architecture in the United States. Originally the Unitarian Church, now the Baptist Center (Jingle Bells Church), sits on the square.

On the Sourthwest corner is the Urban Health Center, originally built in 1907 as the Marine Hospital.

Orleans Square, This square, located on Barnard St., between Perry and Hull Streets, was laid out in 1815 and named to honor the heroes of the War of 1812. The German Societies placed a fountain and benches in this square in the late 1980s.

The house with the massive columns on the East side of the square was built in 1844 for Aaron Champion. It is known as the Champion-McAlpin House which is owned by the Society of Cincinnati in the state of Georgia. Across the square is the Civic Center, completed in 1970.

Pulaski Square, This square on Barnard Street between Harris and Charlton Streets was laid out in 1837 and named for Count Casimir Pulaski, the highest ranking foreign officer to die in the American Revolution.

The red brick Jewish Education Alliance building on the East side of the square is now a dormitory for the Savannah College of Art and Design. The house on the Northwest corner of Barnard and Harris is new housing, completed in 1993. The house across from it is the 1839 house of Francis Bartow, a Confederate hero. It is now several apartments.

Reynolds Square, Located on Abercorn Street between Congress and Bryan Streets, this square was named for James Reynolds, a Georgia Royal Governor.

On the Northeast trust lot, the Filature House was located. This center of the silkworm effort was the first large building in the colony and used as a meeting center before it burned down in the mid 1800s. The Corps of Engineers building is now on that site.

The Pink House is one of the few houses to survive the Great Fire of 1796. Across St. Juilian Street from it, also on the West side of the square is the Oliver Sturgiss House. He was a partner with William Scarbrough in the Steamship Savannah venture. The Southwest trust lot on this square was the site of the parsonage in the earliest colonial days. The Christ Church Parish House is on the Northeast corner.

The square also houses the John Wesley Monument.

Telfair Square, From 1733 to 1883, this square was named St. James Square and was one of the most fashionable residential areas. It was renamed to honor Edward Telfair, three time governor of Georiga (1786-1792) and his family. Located on Barnard Street between York and State Streets.

The Telfair family home, now the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the oldest art museums in the South. The Trinity Methodist Church and the Federal Buildings which were completed in the 1980s are on this square.

Troup Square, This square, located on Habersham between Charlton and Harris Streets, was laid out in 1851. It was named for George Michael Troup, Congressional Representative, Governor, and Senator. There was only one other square, Washington Square, named for a person who was alive when so honored.

On the West side of the square there are the high stoop McDonough Row Houses, built in 1882 that were the object of one of the first historic restoration efforts in the 1960s when federal funds became available for historic preservation activities.

Kennedy Row, low stoop brick houses on the West side of the square, were built in 1872 and also rehabilitated in the Troup Square Renewal Project.

Also on the West side of the squre, there is a dog fountain that was reinstalled in the 1980s.

The Armillary Sphere in the center of the square was created in the 1970s and represents an ancient astronomical device. It originally had gold continents inside and twelve Zodiacs on the rim; but were removed to prevent theft or further vandalism.

Warren Square, This square, laid out in 1791, is on Habersham Street between Bryan and Congress Streets. It was named for General Joseph Warren, killed in the 1775 battle of Bunker Hill. The city parking garage covers the two western Trust Lots.

The Spencer House, built in 1791, on the West side of the square, underwent a total resoration in the 1980s. A private philanthropist has completely redone the double house on the Northwest corner of Habersham Street in 1993.

On St. Julian Street between this square and Washington Square there are some of the oldest houses in the historic district.

Washington Square, This square, on Houston Street, is near the site of the old Trustees Garden. It was named for George Washington. For many years, until the mid-twentieth century, this square was the scene of the biggest New Year's Eve bonfires, many often taller than the houses around the square.

The Seaman's House, operated by the Port Society to serve the needs of visiting seaman, is on the Southwest side of the square.

The Mulberry Inn, also on this square, was originally a cotton warehouse, built in the 1860s, then a Coca-Cola bottling plant before being converted to an inn.

Whitefield Square, This square, on Habersham between Taylor and Gordon Streets, is named for the Rev. George Whitefield, an early minister in the colony, friend of John Wesley, and founder of the Bethesda Orphanage in 1740. Done in 1851, this was the last of the City's squares. Around the square there are wooden Victorian houses, a later style in the historic district.

On the North side of the square are two very tall, modern buildings: the Red Cross and the Rose of Sharon apartments. Also on this square is the First Congregational Church.

Wright Square, This is one of the oldest of the City's squares, laid out in 1733. It is on Bull Street between State and York Streets. It was originally called Percival Square to honor Viscount Percival, later the Earl of Egmont. It was renamed to honor James Wright, Georgia's last Royal Governor.

It was commonly called "Court House Square," as from its earliest days to the present, it has held a courthouse on the site. The present yellow brick courthouse, on the east side, was designed by William Gibbons Preston and was renovated in 1992 for continued use by County offices.

Next to the Court House, also on the east side of the square, on a Trust Lot, is the Lutheran Church of the Ascension, built in 1844. Also on the square is the United States Post Office, built in 1899 of Georgia Marble. Around the top of the building there are panels of all different types of marble quarried in Georgia.

On this square, Tomochichi was buried in an elaborate funeral service in 1739. His monument remained as done by the early colonists until it was demolished in the early 1880s to make way for a monument to William Washington Gordon. The members of the Colonial Dames in Georgia were responsible for placing a huge boulder of Georgia granite in the Southeast side of the square in memory of Tomochichi.

Do

Visit the Savannah Visitors Center and the Savannah History Museum.

Ride the free Savannah Belles Ferry across the Savannah river to Hutchinson Island.

Watch the show at Club One Jefferson (Home of The Lady Chablis-Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil)

Walk the Bull Street corridor from City Hall (at Bay St.) to the fountain in Forsyth Park.

Take a picture with a statue in one of the historic squares.

Walk down River Street, see the Waving Girl, and shop in one of the local candy shops

Shop at City Market. Check out the local art galleries, where you can often pick up great student art for prices easy on the wallet. The A.T. Hun Gallery is also a great bet, featuring some great dreamscapes by local Brian MacGregor. Must see MacGregor's personal art gallery upstairs near Vinnies pizza and check out his website at www.brian-macgregor.com

Visit the Telfair Museum of Art and the Jepson Center for the Arts

Stay at a Savannah B&B historic mansion inn for high drama and beautiful scenery.

Children will enjoy following the "Savannah Safari," a coloring book of Savannah's wildlife typically depicted in dolphin rain downspouts and lion water fountains.

Buy cookies at the Byrd Cookie Company

Take a trolley tour or one of the many ghost tours.

Visit the Juliette Gordon Low birthplace and the beginning of the Girls Scout.

Tour the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

Picnic in Forsyth Park

Attempt to find Forrest Gump's bench at Chippewa Square

Visit Flannery O'Connor's childhood home. She played in the square and kept chickens here, and for Southern literary buffs, the small house is a must.

See a Sand Gnats Game

Buy

ShopSCAD, 340 Bull Street on Madison Square, [28]. Great works of art by students at SCAD. Right across the street from the Gryphon Tea Room. Why buy junky mass produced souvenirs when you can support student artists? They always have a wonderful mix of eclectic items.

E. Shaver Booksellers, 326 Bull Street on Madison Square (phone: 912.234.7257). This is a great locally owned bookstore. Tons of new books inhabit many intimate rooms. If you eavesdrop on the doyennes who work there, you can learn all kinds of juicy gossip on the locals. They always have good advice on the latest book or that literary souvenir for Aunt Sue.

The Book Lady Bookstore, 6 E. Liberty St, just off Bull St., across the st. from the Desoto Hilton 912-233-3628 [29] Hours M-Sat 10-5:30. Exactly as a bookstore should look and feel, this used, rare, and new books shop, steps right out of a Dickens novel. Right around the corner from Shaver's, The Book Lady has lots of cozy places to sit, knowledgeable staff, and endless hard-to-find books in all genres.

Home Run Video, 4 E. Liberty St. (just off Bull St.). M-Sun 11 am-12 midnight. Locally owned video rental store with an impressive selection of independent, foreign and Savannah related films. Also check out their wide variety of new comics and graphic novels.

ZIA Boutique (ZIA), 325 W. Broughton St., ☎912-233-3237, [1]. 11am - 6pm. A beautiful and hip boutique with a stunning & exotic selection of global Jewelry. The owner travels the world in search of the unusual and offers his own bold designs as well. They have a great website where you can shop online: www.ziaboutique.com . ZIA's tag line, "Feel Exotic", says it all...$20 - $400.

The Paris Market & Brocante, 36 W. Broughton St., Phone: 912-232-1500 [30]. A wonderful treasure trove of a little bit of everything -- items for home, etc. The owner has a wonderful eye for the unusual.

Portobello Antiques, 220 E. Oglethorpe Ave, (912) 651-1056, is an upscale antiques and decoarting store. They have quality vendors in a clean enviroment. This is true New South style.

Eat

Restaurants

Mrs. Wilkes's Boarding House[31], W. Jones near Whitaker, lower level. An original Savannah experience. Offers genuine southern home cooking served family style. Locals and tourists enjoy the convivial family dining. Skip the long lines of tourists at Paula's and opt for the real thing.

Lady & Sons[32], W. Congress and Whitaker. A popular Savannah experience, made even more popular with the exponential explosion of Paula Deen and sons on the Food Network. Reservations for lunch are taken beginning at 9:30am. Expect a wait.

Gallery Espresso, Corner of Bull and Perry Streets. Outside seating on Chippewa Square makes this arty coffee shop even more appealing to locals and tourists alike. A large, almost daunting, menu of coffees, teas, sweets and sandwiches is sure to satisfy your hunger, while the abundant local art on display feeds the mind.

Walls BBQ, 515 E. York Lane (on a lane, that is, an alley, just behind Oglethorpe Avenue in the Historic District, 232-9754. Insiders know this is a true Savannah experience. The best crab cakes in Savannah, lots of yummy vegetables, and homemade desserts. Hard to find but well worth it.

Bistro Savannah[33], W. Congress near Jefferson, just south of City Market. Exquisite cuisine, not supersized, and reasonably priced. Crispy Scored Flounder is signature dish.

The Hyatt Regency Hotel is right on the water and has a decent restaurant that has fabulous views of the river. It is possible to eat breakfast right next to the window while a huge container ship passes within maybe 100 feet.

Pirates' House[34], E. Broad near E. Bay. A Savannah tradition next to the historic Trustee Garden. The place to go with kids. Yo-ho-ho!

Johnny Harris, 1651 E. Victory Drive. Old school Savannah BBQ place. Eat in the kitchen for a casual meal, in the bar for a cozy feel, or in the ballroom for a more spiffy dinner. The fried chicken is the best in town. The BBQ sauce is a classic.

The Gryphon Tea Room A tea room, owned by SCAD, in an old pharmacy on Madison Square. Tea and atmosphere are excellent, but service and food often disappoint.

700 Drayton Restaurant, in the Mansion on Forsyth Park hotel, [37]. A fine cuisine restaurant and cocktail lounge located in historic downtown Savannah, adorned with chic artwork, stunning chandeliering, and the full restoration and artistic touches of the original 1888 Savannah Mansion.

Mellow Mushroom, [38]. Laid-back pizza restaurant with full bar, good pizza, and many vegetarian options.

The Pink Pig, [40]. Charming BBQ restaurant just across the Savannah River!

Angel's BBQ[41], 21 W Oglethorp Ln, Hole-in-the-wall but hip BBQ joint with a handful of tables and lots of vibe.

The Bay Cafe #1 Jefferson Street, beneath Club One. Full Service Food and Drink 5p-3a 7 days a week.

Local treats

Byrd Cookie Company[42]. A hometown favorite, this Savannah cookie company offers a multitude of favorites but make sure to try their famous Scottish Oatmeals!

River Street Sweets[43]. A must for Savannah visitors, this candy shops makes the candy right in front of you. You can buy home made fudge or their world famous pralines.

Savannah Rum Runners[44]. This local cake shop offers delicious rum cakes as well as other fine treats.

Leopold's Ice Cream[45]. A nostalgic soda fountain, ice cream parlor and sandwich shoppe re-created by Savannahian and Hollywood movie producer, Stratton Leopold. The original shoppe was on the corner of Habersham and Gwinnett Streets, just down the street from the birthplace of Johnny Mercer, Savannah's "Huckleberry Friend" and legendary lyricist known best perhaps for "Moon River," made famous in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and for "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," made famous in Walt Disney's "Song of the South."

Drink

Savannah is called the "Hostess City of the South" and as such, there are no shortages of watering holes; from hole-in-the wall joints to upscale bars. In downtown Savannah, it is legal to consume alcohol in public. Ask the bartender or doorman for a "go cup" (a "traveler" if you're a local) to pour your libation in.

Pinkie Masters A true Savannah dive. Located on Drayton Street close to the Hilton. Jimmy Carter started his campaign here, and if the man's in town and drinking, he's probably here. They don't take cards, so be sure to bring cash.

Circa 1875 48 Whitaker St. Lots of paneling and atmosphere, this beautiful and cozy bar with an extensive wine selection also mixes great drinks. Becoming the hangout for the intellectual set.

Club One Jefferson #1 Jefferson Street - Club One defines itself as the premier gay bar in a town priding itself on a level of decadence that falls somewhere between New Orleans's and Key West's, and it's the hottest and most amusing spot in town. Patrons include lesbians and gays from the coastal islands, visiting urbanites, and cast and crew of whatever film is being shot in Savannah at the time (Demi Moore and Bruce Willis showed up here in happier times). There's also likely to be a healthy helping of voyeurs who've read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

You pay your admission at the door then wander through the street-level dance bar, trek down to the basement-level video bar for a (less noisy) change of venue, and (if your timing is right) climb one floor above street level for a view of the drag shows. There, a bevy of black and white artistes lip-synch the hits of Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, and Bette Midler. The bar is open daily 5pm to 3am. Shows are nightly at 10:30pm and 12:30am.

Wet Willies Well known for their potent frozen drinks. Located on River St.

The Bar Bar

Sleep

Desoto Hilton, 15 E. Liberty St. (between Bull and Drayton Streets), ☎912-232-9000. Rated high for convenience and full service, the Desoto, as locals still call it (the original magnificent Queen Anne Victorian Desoto hotel burned down in the early 20th C), lies smack in the middle of Savannah's Historic District. Underground and valet parking, pool, restaurant and lounge, ad infinitum. Steps from Madison and Chippewa Squares and locally owned restaurants and shopping.

Hamilton-Turner Inn, 330 Abercorn Street, (888) 448-8849 [47]. "Historically the talk of the town" for its Savannah 400 social status, eclector doctor's early 1900s eco-friendly electric car, and its role in "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." An upscale, family-friendly bed and breakfast mansion inn.

Kehoe House Bed and Breakfast, 123 Habersham Street, (800) 820-1020, [49]. A historic luxury bed and breakfast that features rooms named for prominent members of the Savannah area's history.

Mansion on Forsyth Park, 700 Drayton St., [50]. In Savannah's Historic District. The Mansion on Forsyth Park opened in early April, 2005 as Savannah's first luxury hotel. The 126-room property, with views of Forsyth Park, was built onto an existing 1888 mansion.

Contact

Stay safe

The Savannah area is reeling from a fairly high crime rate...outside of the touristy areas. Inside the touristy areas you're perfectly safe exploring the area during the day and at night with another person. Still be cautious, even in these areas at night. Savannah-Chatham County Police patrol the downtown area frequently on horseback and in patrol cruisers. SCAD's Security detail frequently patrols areas near their buildings on bike. As a general rule, its not advisable to walk past (south or east of) Forsyth Park after dark.

Get out

Tybee Island - 18 miles east of Savannah, Tybee has a long sand beach, and various beachfront bars, restaurants, and hotels. Finding a hotel or parking can be difficult in the high summer season.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!